Shinhotaka Ropeway
A two-stage ropeway climbs to a 2,156 m summit observation deck in the Northern Alps.
piggybackjapan.com
Shinhotaka Ropeway
SaveContains ads | Our order isn't influenced by ads ▶ How we make money ▶ How we choose places
A two-stage ropeway climbs to a 2,156 m summit observation deck in the Northern Alps.
The second ropeway is Japan's only two-story gondola, and the summit has a rooftop deck with 360-degree mountain views.
MoreWhat kind of place
The ropeway opened on July 15, 1970; the second ropeway became a two-story gondola in 1998 and was renewed in 2020 with Austrian-built cars, and total riders passed 18 million in 2021. Itadaki no Mori opened in 2024, and the rooftop deck reopened in July 2025 as "AlpScape" with a new wooden deck.
With kidsThe part that matters
That rooftop deck is the main view. Beside the top station, an outdoor nature area called Itadaki no Mori adds boomerang-shaped decks jutting toward the peaks, a forest path and table benches.
Indoors, the Ropeway Lab next to the Panorama Lounge (a place to sit and rest) has a window onto the real pulleys as they move.
Stations can hold a toddler's attention: in November 2021 one 1-year-old preferred watching the ropeway at a station to riding it. So a small child has plenty to watch, from peaks to machinery.
By age0-1 / 2-3 / 4-6
- Ages 0-1Babies are not excluded (there is no age limit), but the quick climb calls for care about air-pressure changes, and a baby-focused site suggests from about 4 months. A family with a 1-year-old spent about 3 hours in all, rides included (November 2021), and their son touched snow for the first time outside the top station.
- Ages 2-3Not checked yet
- Ages 4-6Keep to the summit's walking paths, which are well kept for ordinary visitors; the trail beyond is mountain climbing. A 5-year-old hiking with his parents and two older brothers in summer 2021 reached his limit partway along it and turned back, because pushing on would have meant not getting back to the ropeway.
By weatherRain, heat, cold
- Rainy dayA listing site marks it as fun even on rainy days, though strong wind can stop the ropeways. On a rainy, all-white day in September 2025, one visitor suggested letting a run go by and relaxing at Shirakabadaira Station, which has a bakery and the View Lounge.
- Hot dayThe summit is about 6 to 10°C cooler than the bottom station, and the official site calls it a "sky retreat from the heat" (the August average there is a 19°C high and a 17°C low). Bring a long-sleeved layer even in summer.
- Cold daySnow can fall from mid-November to early April, and the top station can feel colder than you expect; one late-November afternoon at 3 p.m. it was minus 6°C. From December to April a "snow corridor" forms around the top station, with snow walls 3 m high.
How was it with your kids?
Not greatGreat
Family checks✓ easy for your family
- ElevatorElevator：with conditionsconditions
- Stroller OKStroller friendly：not checked
- RentalStroller rental：not checked
- NursingNursing space：with conditionsconditions
- ChangingDiaper changing table：with conditionsconditions
- Family WCFamily restroom：with conditionsconditions
- Own foodOutside food allowed：with conditionsconditions
- EnglishEnglish support：with conditionsconditions
Tap a mark for details.
Not yet checked: 6
Lost-child support, Diaper disposal bin, Kids' toilet seat & step stool, Official family-friendly certification, High chair, Kids' menu
Green = we confirmed it. Gray = not checked yet. Gray with a line through = the place does not have it.
Shinhotaka Ropeway · Links & reads ▾
＋ Add a link
Save
Where it is
The address is 710-7 Kamisaka, Okuhida Onsengo, Takayama City, Gifu, as listed by the Okuhida Onsen-go tourism association.source
Before you go
- Every station has restrooms, but the one at the top station can be out of use because of water supply, so change diapers at Shirakabadaira Station (the second ropeway's base) first. Diaper tables are in the restrooms at Shinhotaka Onsen Station (the bottom), Shirakabadaira and the top station, but none is listed for Nabedaira Station (the transfer stop), and the parking lots have no restrooms (they are only inside the ropeway buildings, during operating hours). A nursing room is at Shirakabadaira, and at the top station you ask staff to use the first-aid room as one; the official site lists none at Shinhotaka Onsen.
- The official site does not say whether a stroller can stay with you inside the gondola, and baggage over 6 kg needs a baggage ticket (1,000 yen round trip) without saying whether a stroller counts, so ask staff or call 0578-89-2252 before relying on it.
- Strong wind can stop the ropeways whatever the weather, and both are closed all day from November 24 to 27, 2026, for inspection and renovation, with every station's shops and restaurants closed too, so check the official website's top page for status and the live camera on the day. The summit is about 6 to 10°C cooler than the base, and the travel site JeePe says a long-sleeved layer is needed there even in summer.
- At Itadaki no Mori's Yari no Kairo deck, a visitor in August 2023 found the far end had no fence, only a net below, so keep small children by the hand there; the paths past the summit walking course are mountain routes that need equipment and, for the longer hikes, a climbing plan filed in advance.
- A round trip on both ropeways costs 3,800 yen for adults and 1,900 yen for children (elementary school age; junior high and older pay the adult fare), and preschoolers ride free with an adult. Individuals cannot book a ride time, but advance web tickets exist, and 300-yen priority boarding for upbound runs can be bought as a limited-number advance web ticket or on the day at the Shinhotaka Onsen and Shirakabadaira windows.
- October weekends and holidays and the big holiday weeks tend to be especially crowded, and riding the first run shortens the wait; a November 2021 visit found the second ropeway almost full both ways. The local tourism association lists hours of 8:30 to 16:00 from April 1 to November 30 (8:00 in August, longer on October weekends and holidays; guidebooks give the last descent as 16:45) and 9:00 to 15:30 from December 1 to March 31 (16:15 for the last descent in guidebooks), with the first ropeway leaving at :00 and :30 and the second at :15 and :45; check the official timetable for the last upbound run.
- The Nabedaira lot nearest the second ropeway (about 550 cars, 800 yen per 6 hours) is closed from early November to late April, so in that season go up from Shinhotaka Onsen Station by the first ropeway; the small lot there filled quickly in the foliage season.
Sources and evidence (44)
- There is a nursing room at Shirakabadaira Station (the FAQ answer).source
- At the top station (Nishihotakaguchi) the first-aid room can be used as a nursing room; tell staff when you use it.source
- There is a nursing room at Shirakabadaira Station, and at the top station the first-aid room can be used as one if you tell staff.source
- Diaper changing tables are in the restrooms at Shinhotaka Onsen, Shirakabadaira and Nishihotakaguchi Stations; none is listed for Nabedaira Station.source
- The top station's facilities include a restroom marked as accessible, an elevator, a first-aid room and a nursing room.source
- Indoors are the station buildings, lounges and restaurants, including the Shirakabadaira View Lounge and the top station's Panorama Lounge; outdoors are the rooftop deck and Itadaki no Mori.source
- Shinhotaka Onsen Station has an elevator and a stair lift from the first floor to the second-floor platform, and Shirakabadaira and the top station also list elevators.source
- Staff at the Shinhotaka Onsen Station shop and food counters spoke English, according to a surveyor's observation.source
- Jalan's facility listing says bringing your own meal is OK, but it says nothing about baby food or water bottles.source
- There is no age limit for riding; if you worry about an illness or health, ask your doctor, and watch for air-pressure changes from the fast climb.source
- A round trip on both ropeways (Shinhotaka Onsen to the top) is 3,800 yen for adults and 1,900 yen for children, with a one-way fare of 2,400 and 1,200 yen.source
- Preschool children ride free when accompanied by an adult.source
- Open all year; the first ropeway leaves at :00 and :30, the second at :15 and :45, with extra runs when crowded, and runs may stop for bad weather or inspection.source
- The local tourism association lists hours of 8:30 to 16:00 from April 1 to November 30.source
- In August only, the first run is earlier and hours are 8:00 to 16:00.source
- The local tourism association lists hours of 9:00 to 15:30 from December 1 to March 31.source
- The guidebook Rurubu lists regular-season hours as from the 8:30 first upbound run at Shinhotaka Onsen to a 16:45 last descent from the top station.source
- The guide japan-guide.com lists 8:30 to 16:45 from April to November and 9:00 to 16:15 from December to March, and says hours are longer in August and on October weekends and holidays.source
- Hours are longer in August and on October weekends and holidays.source
- Both ropeways are closed all day from November 24 to 27, 2026, for inspection and renovation work.source
- Individuals have no ride-time reservation; advance web tickets and a priority boarding service exist, while group visits are registered and charters booked 7 days ahead.source
- In that snow season the Nabedaira lot cannot be used, so you go up from the Shinhotaka Onsen Station side by the first ropeway.source
- The small lot at Shinhotaka Onsen Station filled quickly in the foliage season (a November 2021 report).source
- The address is 710-7 Kamisaka, Okuhida Onsengo, Takayama City, Gifu, as listed by the Okuhida Onsen-go tourism association.source
- The ropeway's phone number, as listed by the Okuhida Onsen-go tourism association, is 0578-89-2252.source
- Every station has restrooms, but the one at the top station (Nishihotakaguchi) can be out of use because of water supply.source
- The parking lots have no restrooms; restrooms are only inside the ropeway buildings during operating hours.source
- The child fare applies to elementary school children; junior high school students and older pay the adult fare.source
- Priority boarding on upbound runs costs 300 yen per person on top of the ticket, bought as an advance web ticket (limited number) or at the Shinhotaka Onsen or Shirakabadaira windows on the day.source
- In strong wind the ropeways may stop whatever the weather, and operating status is shown on the official website.source
- The official website's top page shows today's operating status for both ropeways, parking, weather, temperature and a live camera.source
- The summit (Nishihotakaguchi Station) and the base (Shinhotaka Onsen Station) differ in temperature by about 6 to 10°C.source
- The Nabedaira lot nearest the second ropeway holds about 550 cars at 800 yen per 6 hours and is closed in snow season, from early November to late April.source
- Routes from the top station, such as the 3 to 4 hour hike to Nishihotaka-Maruyama, require a climbing plan filed in advance and mountain gear.source
- During the 2026 closure period, the shops and restaurants at every station are also closed all day.source
- The official site does not say whether a stroller can stay with you inside the gondola.source
- Baggage over 6 kg needs a baggage ticket (1,000 yen round trip), and it is not stated whether a stroller counts.source
- The official site lists no nursing room at Shinhotaka Onsen Station, where the first ropeway starts.source
- A baby-focused site advises finishing diaper changes at Shirakabadaira Station before going up, since the top-station restroom may be unavailable.source
- The travel site JeePe says the summit is about 10°C cooler than the base and that a long-sleeved layer is needed even in summer.source
- Crowds are especially likely in the October foliage weekends and holidays and in the big holiday weeks, and riding the first run shortens the wait.source
- Beyond the summit walking course, the paths become mountain climbing routes that need proper equipment.source
- A visitor in August 2023 found the far end of the Yari no Kairo deck at the summit had no fence, only a net below.source
- One family with a 1-year-old in November 2021 found the second ropeway almost full going up and coming down.source
Basics
- Fee: A round trip on both ropeways (Shinhotaka Onsen to the top) is 3,800 yen for adults and 1,900 yen for children, with a one-way fare of 2,400 and 1,200 yen.source
- Hours: Open all year; the first ropeway leaves at :00 and :30, the second at :15 and :45, with extra runs when crowded, and runs may stop for bad weather or inspection.source
- Booking: Individuals have no ride-time reservation; advance web tickets and a priority boarding service exist, while group visits are registered and charters booked 7 days ahead.source
Once you've decided
evidence & sources (8)
- Official: Nursing space, Diaper changing table, Best-fit ages (guide)
- Official: Family restroom, Indoor / outdoor, Elevator
- flat-gifu.com: English support
- jalan.net: Outside food allowed
- Official: main site
| Nursing space | Yes | There is a nursing room at Shirakabadaira Station (the FAQ answer). | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | shinhotaka-ropeway.jp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diaper changing table | Yes | Diaper changing tables are in the restrooms at Shinhotaka Onsen, Shirakabadaira and Nishihotakaguchi Stations; none is listed for Nabedaira Station. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | shinhotaka-ropeway.jp |
| Family restroom | Yes | The top station's facilities include a restroom marked as accessible, an elevator, a first-aid room and a nursing room. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | shinhotaka-ropeway.jp |
| Stroller friendly | Not checked yet | ||||
| Lost-child supportExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Indoor / outdoor | Indoor & outdoor | Indoors are the station buildings, lounges and restaurants, including the Shirakabadaira View Lounge and the top station's Panorama Lounge; outdoors are the rooftop deck and Itadaki no Mori. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | shinhotaka-ropeway.jp |
| Diaper disposal bin | Not checked yet | ||||
| Kids' toilet seat & step stool | Not checked yet | ||||
| Elevator | Yes | Shinhotaka Onsen Station has an elevator and a stair lift from the first floor to the second-floor platform, and Shirakabadaira and the top station also list elevators. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | shinhotaka-ropeway.jp |
| English support | English-speaking staff | Staff at the Shinhotaka Onsen Station shop and food counters spoke English, according to a surveyor's observation. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | flat-gifu.com |
| Outside food allowed | Yes | Jalan's facility listing says bringing your own meal is OK, but it says nothing about baby food or water bottles. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | jalan.net |
| Official family-friendly certificationExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| High chair | Not checked yet | ||||
| Kids' menu | Not checked yet | ||||
| Best-fit ages (guide)Extra info — guide only | Conditional | No: There is no age limit for riding; if you worry about an illness or health, ask your doctor, and watch for air-pressure changes from the fast climb. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | shinhotaka-ropeway.jp |
Reviews
Reviews